Point Reyes

For Mother's Day this year we drove 1.5 hours to Point Reyes, hoping to visit the lighthouse there. Unfortunately, high winds caused them to close the steps down to the lighthouse, but we still had some magnificent views. 

Ross and I braving the high winds... 

The lighthouse was down a few hundred steps - with big rails and locked gates - a stark contrast to similar lighthouses in NZ with hardly a wooden railing on one side.

Looking north at beautiful beaches far too windy to actually visit. M could hardly walk in the wind, it was so strong.

After the lighthouse we stopped at nearby Drake Beach for a picnic and play on the long expanse of open beach (not the one pictured above).

It was still really, really windy, but the kids had so much fun playing we ended up staying a few hours.

Madeleine was off in her own world, running, dancing, and singing to herself, as well as rolling in the sand like it was snow!

Ross stuck closer to us since he had a bit more trouble staying upright in the wind, but he too, had fun exploring the sand and little tidal pools.

Time in BC

The kids and I spent two weeks in Abbotsford at the end of April, and while I spent a lot of time with my grandpa in Bellingham WA, my dad got to do a hefty chunk of child-minding... the kids loved it and they had a lot of fun together... eating ice cream...

helping make coffee in the morning...

 taking portraits on windowsills...

 playing with pens in bed (that mommy left within reach - oops!)...

 going to work in the house/office that Grandpa built for them...

 doing some cooking...

 picking flowers...

 trying out the new swing in the front yard...

 climbing ladders...

driving cars...

and sleeping over lunch.

We had beautiful weather and it was fun to see how much the kids enjoyed their time.

Kristin's dog, Polly, was there the whole time, and both kids adore her - she was very tolerant of them taking her for walks (in the house), chasing her, and constantly wanting cuddles.

Another highlight was getting to ride horses at an old family friend's farm. Both kids gave it a try and M didn't want it to end, and neither did I!

They loved watching Wall-E with Great Uncle Gary in the mornings... a very serious event, indeed.

And here is M wearing one of our childhood dresses, made by my Grandma Hoffmann. Being there for so long and knowing our trip home was only a couple of hours was such a delight - it has definitely made the big move from NZ feel worthwhile.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Madeleine!

Celebrating Madeleine's birthday this year was fun because she was so excited for it. She started off the day with one present - some stamps from us.

My sister was here and we all went to Fairyland for the afternoon. Fairyland is a lovely little storybook park in Oakland with beautiful trees, flowers, a little train, puppet show, and animals. 

After her favourite dinner of lemon tuna pasta salad, we had a "3" lemon cake, which she had helped me decorate, and she got to open the rest of her presents.

Ross was thrilled that he had a present sent from NZ as well - and Miss 3 showed him his new book with all the authority and wisdom that she inherently has as a big sister.

Madeleine was happy with her new balance bike, but the torch and scissors she got definitely won out in terms of time spent with them.

I remember wondering what she would be like at this age... and here we are, with a big 3 year old girl who makes us smile each day. She is imaginative and organized, goofy and shy, curious and all-knowing. She loves mothering her dolls (and Ross), playing ball, riding her scooter, cleaning things, drawing, and climbing. She has no fear of heights, but doesn't like wobbly things. She couldn't care less about princesses, but does like hearts, animals, diggers, and cement mixers. She makes up songs about what she's doing, and dances when no one is looking. How exciting it will be to see how she changes over the next year!

Liola Mae Cordes

My grandma passed away on April 17th.  She and my grandpa lived through many adventures during their 67 years of married life. They moved to Hawaii and back, had three children, flew a small airplane from California to the Philippines (to deliver it to some missionaries there), and after he retired they lived on a sailboat for 11 years (during which time they sailed to Alaska and Hawaii each twice). She was a practical, sensible, no-nonsense type of person.

I spent much of my early teenage years at their house, for days on end, when I was sick with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and not going to school. Their quiet, slow, lifestyle suited me perfectly and I loved their house and their daily routines. I remember her firm, loving hand that told you she loved you with a firm pat instead of a mushy hug. I always knew she had strong opinions, but she never told you what to do, she let you figure it out for yourself. That's why when she called me one day, to tell me she thought I should think about becoming a nurse, I listened carefully and took her suggestion seriously. She made an appointment with her own Nurse Practitioner, who she thought highly of, so that I could find out more about the role. I am so thankful she steered me down that path.

She had been steadily declining since her open heart surgery two years ago, and had grown so thin and frail it was hard to recognize her. Fortunately, she was able to stay at home until the end, thanks to constant help at their apartment, the support of hospice, and of course regular visits from my parents.

I am very thankful that we now live closer to home, as we were able to fly home and spend time with my grandpa and the rest of my family.  Steve went back to California for work after a few days, but I've remained with Madeleine and Ross, to soak up more family time.

M and R

Here are some pictures of the kids from over the last month that give a good snapshot of what they're up to these days.  Miss Madeleine lounging in her rocking chair, reading a flyer from the mail...

... looking far too grown up for my little girl...

... and loving her new "twirly dress" made for her by my good friend Ashley.

They both love the rocking chairs...

... but Ross especially loves climbing in and out of the little one.

Young Master Ross had fun this day at the beach, sitting IN the little pool of water, collecting rocks and carefully setting them on the edge.

He is such a wee character and loves to giggle, be chased, and, apparently, play superhero.

I spent awhile on the phone a few days ago with the bank, trying to set up automatic rent payments.  In the back of my mind, I knew it was terribly quiet in the house and awfully strange to get so much uninterrupted time on the phone, but I really needed to sort this matter out, so I did not go to investigate. When I hung up the phone, here was what I discovered. This has happened before, but never with THREE boxes of tissue! Madeleine had kindly opened each one for Ross, and he did the rest.

Here is Ross in the same little woven outfit that his Daddy wore for his 1 year portraits.

It looked incredibly cute on him, and it didn't keep him from showing off his riding stunts for Grandpa Don on Skype.

Visitors!

Last week we were happy to have John, Julie, Caleb, and Brody here with us! They arrived late Friday night, so the cousins first got to see each other on Saturday morning. 

Saturday we went to the Marin Headlands and had lunch on Rodeo Beach.

The kids loved playing in the sand and running down to the water.

The views of the Golden Gate Bridge are really beautiful from near there, so we stopped at several spots for pictures and to take in the scenery.

Four busy cousins playing in the tub that night!

On Sunday, we drove 5 hours north to the Redwood Forests. We stayed in a cabin that night - definitely the highlight for the kids and they were all disappointed that we weren't going back. On Monday we walked around the 'Founder's Grove' of redwoods and marvelled at the enormity of the trees.

We stopped to see giant treehouses (look closely and you will see a smiling Julie and crying Caleb)...

... and of course drive-through trees!

On Tuesday, Julie and John went to Alcatraz on their own and Steve and I stayed with the four kids at home. It was a lot of fun for all of us, and Steve and I commented several times how wonderful it is that the kids are getting to know each other better. That evening, Steve and John went to an NHL hockey game in San Jose (the Toronto Maple Leafs were playing, but lost).

Wednesday, we strapped each kid into a stroller and braved the BART train into the city to explore Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39. Here are John and Steve on Pier 39, discussing something important, no doubt.

Caleb loved the merry-go-round on Pier 39.

We ended off the week with a more relaxing day at home and then they were off to the airport before sunrise the next day. It was a wonderful week and we are so thankful we are now close enough that this visit was possible.